The All Purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS) parka and trousers were developed to provide Marines with an all-purpose/all-season set of outershell garments that are lighter in weight, lower in bulk, have lower noise generation, are moisture vapor permeable and have an improved water repellency over the 2nd Generation ECWCS parka and trousers. The APECS also incorporates the Marine Pattern.

The Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) is a layered insulating system adjustable to personal preference, metabolism, and prevailing weather conditions.It is designed to maintain adequate environmental protection between +40°F and -60°F (4°C and -51°C).

The Lightweight Environmental Protection (LEP) is an insulation subsystem developed under the Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR).The system is designed to be individually configured based upon mission, terrain and climate requirements as well as personal preference.

The Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) is an interchangeable 15-piece, 7-level ensemble (the original block 0 configuration) that can be worn in layers appropriate for the mission.The PCU replaces the LEP.

The All Purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS) parka, together with APECS trousers, was developed to provide Marines with an all-purpose/all-season set of outershell garments that are lighter in weight, lower in bulk, have lower noise generation, are moisture vapor permeable and have an improved water repellency over the 2nd Generation ECWCS parka and trousers. The APECS also incorporates the Marine Pattern.

The fleece pullover was developed to provide The Marine Corps with a multi-purpose, lightweight/low bulk, moisture transport, and insulation layer for the upper torso.The fleece pullover can be used during both garrison and field duties in cool to cold weather conditions.It can be worn under the camouflage utilities, used as a sleep shirt in the sleeping bag, and as an optional/additional insulation layer for the ECWCS.

The All Purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS) trousers, together with APECS parka, were developed to provide Marines with an all-purpose/all-season set of outershell garments that are lighter in weight, lower in bulk, have lower noise generation, are moisture vapor permeable and have an improved water repellency over the 2nd Generation ECWCS parka and trousers. The APECS also incorporates the Marine Pattern.

The Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (GEN III ECWCS) was designed to be functional in multiple cold weather climates and activities.It consists of a versatile, multi-layered insulating system that allows the Soldier to adapt to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions.

The 2nd generation parka and trousers incorporates features requested by Marines. Improvements over the original parka and trousers include a two-way entry pocket design, water channels to protect critical area from potential leakage, removal of the taffeta nylon lining to reduce cost, improved breathability, a roll and stow hood, and a Cordura nylon reinforcement of the elbow and knee areas to improve durability.

Lightweight Cold Weather Underwear Set (LWCWUS) was developed to provide a moisture wicking, heat retentive, lightweight garment for moderate conditions not sufficiently cold for the polypropylene underwear.

The shirt and drawers are designed to provide light insulation for use in mild climates as well as a base layer for colder climates, worn next to skin by itself or in conjunction with other levels (level I) for added insulation and to aid in the transfer of moisture.Fabric is slightly different than level I in that it provides extra warmth but still wicks moisture away from the skin to allow for quicker evaporation.

The jacket is designed to act as the primary insulation layer for use in moderate to cold climates.It is also approved to wear as an outer garment.The jacket creates air pockets that trap air and retain body heat providing outstanding warmth without weight.This comfortable garment offers excellent breathability, dries quickly and provides environmental protection while maintaining low bulk and durability.

The jacket is designed to act as a low volume shell layer in transitional environments to provide wind and sand protection, optimizing the performance of moisture wicking along with insulation layers when combined with body armor or the Army Combat Uniform.

The jacket and trousers are designed for use in moderate to cold weather conditions as a soft shell layer combined with other base and insulative layers.The jacket and trousers provide light weight, low bulk and extreme comfort for movement.

The jacket and trousers are designed for use in cold, wet conditions alternating between freezing and thawing as a hard shell layer combined with other base and insulative layers.The jacket and trousers provide a lightweight, completely waterproof, windproof and breathable level of protection against the elements.

The LEP layer 4 fleece jacket is fabricated in a heavyweight fleece fabric. It has a collar, zipper front closure, pit zips, two zippered hand warmer pockets, inner pockets and a windproof front and back yoke.

The LEP layer 5 wind resistant fleece jacket is fabricated in heavyweight fleece wind resistant fabric. It is the same basic design as the layer 4 heavyweight fleece jacket with the addition of wristovers and a hood.

The olive drab cotton field cap is a visor style with retractable earlaps lined with wool flannel, and grommets for ventilation. It was designed to be worn with the M-1943 field jacket. It could also be worn under the hood of that jacket and with the steel helmet and liner.

The olive drab pile field cap consists of a wind-resistant, water-repellent, poplin outer shell with a pile lining, a flexible visor, which can be worn up or down, and pile ear flaps with an drawcord closure. It was designed for wear in extreme cold.

The MQ-1 (Model Quartermaster 1) olive drab pile field cap is a modified version of the olive drab pile field cap. The pile lining of the original visor, which caused visual interference and forehead discomfort when the visor was lowered, was eliminated. The MQ-1 cap was adopted as the M-1951 pile field cap.

The M-1951 cotton field cap is a visor style with a circular top crown and retractable earlaps, and is a lightweight windproof item incorporating a very thin layer of insulation only in the earlaps. It was designed for ground troop wear in a range of cold-wet to hot environments.

The combination Cold-Wet/Cold-Dry Clothing System (M-1951) can be configured into two ensembles. The cold-wet ensemble is worn above 14°F, and the cold-dry ensemble is worn below 14°F. The cold-dry ensemble protects down to -60°F. The cold-wet configuration differs from the cold-dry in the number of layers and the choice of boots. The system uses layers of wool/cotton fabrics to trap air for insulation, and a water-repellent outer garment to maintain dryness.

The M-1951 winter hood with fur ruff is worn attached to either the coat or the parka as a component of the cold-dry uniform. The hood may be worn over the cotton field cap or the pile field cap. The steel helmet is not normally used with the hood.

The M-1951 field jacket (later redesignated coat) ensemble is made up of a shell and a detachable mohair frieze liner which is attached inside the shell for extra warmth.The jacket ensemble is worn directly over the intermediate layer in cold weather.

The M-1951 parka ensemble is made up of a shell and a detachable mohair frieze liner which is attached inside the shell for maximum insulation.The parka ensemble is worn as an outer garment of the cold-dry uniform with a fur-ruffed hood for added head protection and may be worn over the coat.

The M-1951 arctic trouser ensemble is made up of a shell and a detachable mohair frieze liner which is attached inside the shell. The trousers are worn over the field trousers when the soldier must remain inactive (in a listening post, for example) and when temperatures of -50 to -60°F (-46 to -51°C) are encountered.

The M-1951 field trouser ensemble is made up of a shell and a detachable mohair frieze liner which is attached inside the shell for extra warmth. The shell is worn over wool trousers as the outer layer in cold-wet climate or worn with the liner as the intermediate layer in cold-dry climate.

The M-65 cold weather insulating helmet liner cap is worn alone or as a liner for the helmet assembly. The earflaps are fasten under or over chin, at back of neck, or are folded up around the top with the touch-and-close fasteners crisscrossed in the front.

The M-65 cold weather field coat serves as outer layer in cold-wet climate or as intermediate layer in cold-dry climate. It can be worn with a button-in liner for extra warmth and with a fur-ruffed hood for increased head protection.

The combination Cold-Wet/Cold-Dry Clothing System (M-65) can be configured into two ensembles. The cold-wet ensemble is worn above 14°F (-10°C), and the cold-dry ensemble is worn below 14°F. The cold-dry ensemble protects down to -60°F (-51°C). The cold-wet configuration differs from the cold-dry in the number of layers and the choice of boots. The system uses layers of wool/cotton fabrics to trap air for insulation, and a water-repellent outer garment to maintain dryness.

The M-65 extreme cold weather parka ensemble is made up of a shell and a button-in quilted liner which is attached inside the shell for extra warmth. The parka ensemble is worn as an outer garment in cold-dry climate with a fur-ruffed hood for increased head protection.

The M-65 cold weather field trousers serve as outer layer in cold-wet climate or as intermediate layer in cold-dry climate, and also serve as a durable insulating layer of ECWCS to be worn over the liners when the outer extended cold weather trousers are not needed.

The hardface micro fleece cap is intended for wear by male and female military personnel of the USMC in mountainous and cold weather environments.It will provide improved wind resistance, durability and water repellency when worn in intermediate to cold weather environments.It will be part of the Mountain/Cold Weather Clothing System and will ultimately replace/phase out the current micro fleece caps.

The ECW parka and trouser overgarments and booties are designed for biouvac, rest and sentry activities in mountain conditions.The garments shall be lightweight and easily packed to a minimum volume to be carried among the variety of other mission essential gear.

The windpro fleece jacket is intended for wear by male and female military personnel of the USMC in mountainous and cold weather environments.It will provide improved wind resistance, breathabilty and water repellency when worn in intermediate to cold weather environments.It will be part of the Mountain/Cold Weather Clothing System and will replace the current fleece jackets.

The Marine Corps has developed an Extreme Cold Weather Mitten System including a Mitten Shell with Removable Liner and Light Duty Flame Resistant Glove Insert, which will provide improved environmental protection over USMC's previous mitt, the insulated trigger finger mitt.

The mid-weight FR grid fleece underwear is a flame resistant version of the polyester grid fleece underwear.It will provide improved moisture management, insulation and comfort when worn in intermediate to cold weather environments. In addition, it will provide Marines with FR protection when needed. The FR Grid Fleece can be worn as part of the Mountain Cold Weather Clothing System or Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG).

The mid-weight grid fleece underwear is intended for wear by male and female military personnel of the USMC in mountainous and cold weather environments.It will provide improved moisture management, insulation and comfort when worn in intermediate to cold weather environments.It will be part of the Mountain/Cold Weather Clothing System and will replace the current polypropylene underwear set, and fleece pullover.

The FR next-to-skin underwear is a flame resistant version of the polyester silkweight underwear.It will provide improved moisture management and comfort when worn in intermediate to cold weather environments. In addition, it will provide Marines with FR protection when needed. The FR Silkweight Underwear can be worn as part of the Mountain Cold Weather Clothing System or Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG).

The new next-to-skin underwear is intended for wear by male and female military personnel of the USMC in mountainous and cold weather environments.It will provide improved moisture management and comfort when worn in intermediate to cold weather environments.It will be part of the Mountain/Cold Weather Clothing System and will also replace the current lightweight CW underwear set.

The NWU parka fleece liner is an insulation component designed to be worn with the NWU parka and provide extra protection during cold weather conditions. When worn with the parka, it shall be attached to the parka shell via inside front slide fastener and sleeves inserted in the arm openings and secured by snap attachment assembly tab located at the inside bottom of each sleeve. The liner may be optionally worn as a stand-alone outer garment over the NWU shirt.

In 1988, the U.S. Army began a program to develop a new combat boot for dismounted soldiers and marines operating in cold and wet environments where the mean monthly temperature ranges between 14°F and 68°F (-10° and +20° C).The new Intermediate Cold Wet (ICW) Boot was designed to fill the protective void between the uninsulated U.S. Army Standard Combat Boot and the highly-insulated Extreme Cold Weather Vapor Barrier Boot.

The anti-contact gloves are intended for use in cold-wet and cold-dry regions where dexterity and protection from cold metal contact are required.They will provide protection against cold for only a very short period.

The cold weather contact gloves allow Marines to conduct precise technical work such as operating computer and electronic equipment while protecting their hands from the cold weather combat environment.

The Intermediate Cold/Wet gloves are intended as protection from environmental conditions for the hands of users performing their mission in intermediate cold and wet climates encompassing approximately a 0°F to 40°F temperature range.

The Light Duty Glove Insert is a product improvement replacing the Improved Glove Insert.The intent is to eliminate the melt/drip hazard, which could occur with the old polyester/lycra insert, by changing to a cotton/lycra insert.

The gloves are intended for light work duty and mosquito protection.They may be worn alone, or for additional warmth under cold conditions, may be worn with the wool inserts.The gloves are also intended for wear over chemical protective handwear covered by MIL-G-43796.

The Light Duty Utility Glove is a multifunctional utility glove for performing light duty work.The glove may be worn alone or as a shell and in combination with thermal inserts or chemical protective handwear.

The light duty gloves are worn to protect the hands of personnel performing light work. When required, they may also be worn for mosquito pretection and may be worn over the chemical protective (CP) gloves to protect the CP gloves from abrasion and cuts. They may be worn alone or, for additional warmth under cold conditions, may be worn with the wool inserts.

The improved cold weather trigger finger mitten is light weight, reduced bulk, hydrophobic, quick drying, and designed with a trigger finger for weapon operation.The mitten is intended to be used in temperatures ranging from +10 to -25°F (-12 to -32°C). The mitten is compatible with the snow camouflage mitten shells and improved glove insert, and replaces the trigger finger mitten shells and inserts.

The patrol cap, formerly called the battle dress uniform (BDU) cap, is a visor style with a circular crown and retractable earlaps, which is the same basic design as the M-1951 cotton field cap. It was intended for wear with the temperate battle dress uniform.

The neck gaiter is designed to be worn six ways: as a head band, neck warmer, hood, balaclava or mask, and a hat. The neck gaiter is 10 3/4 inches wide, 15 inches long; has a tube-like construction of thin brown plain jersey knit fabric consisting of polypropylene and lycra yarn.

Performance specification MC/PD 1-2014 SYSCOM covers the requirements for the U.S. Marine Corps Intermediate Cold Weather Glove. This item is intended for wear by military personnel of the Department of Defense during cold weather conditions.